Engine: The 1970 Bus had a 1600cc engine, while the 1971 Bus had a 1700cc engine. This gave the 1971 Bus a slight increase in power and torque.
Transmission: The 1970 Bus came with a 4-speed manual transmission, while the 1971 Bus came with a 4-speed manual transmission or an optional 3-speed automatic transmission.
Brakes: The 1970 Bus had drum brakes on all four wheels, while the 1971 Bus had disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear.
Suspension: The 1970 Bus had a leaf spring suspension, while the 1971 Bus had a coil spring suspension.
Bodywork: The 1970 and 1971 Buses had slightly different bodywork. The 1970 Bus had a more rounded front end, while the 1971 Bus had a more squared-off front end. The 1971 Bus also had larger taillights and a different grille.
Interior: The 1970 and 1971 Buses had similar interiors, but there were a few key differences. The 1971 Bus had a new steering wheel, new seats, and a new dashboard.
Overall, the 1970 and 1971 Volkswagen Buses are very similar, but there are a few key differences that make them unique.